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  #1  
Old 15th September 2008, 23:58
Kurfürst Kurfürst is offline
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The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

by Don Caldwell (Author), Richard Muller




Can anyone give me a review over that book, what should the reader expect? Personally, I look for detailed accounts of the events, if possible on a day to day basis. Does this book deliver that? ~300 pages strikes me that some sacrifices has to be made..
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  #2  
Old 16th September 2008, 08:45
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Re: The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

The Luftwaffe over Germany is a good study, but it doesn't cover the events on a detailed day to day basis.

The book is well written and covers all phases of the day war over the Reich, and it does so through many detailed operations. It also provides a solid base, by explaining the command structure etc.

That said it is probably the most detailed single volume study available.

It does not include the air battle during the night.

Although I don't share all the conclusions, I think it is a must have book for any (serious) enthusiast or student of the Luftwaffe.

Have to go to work, so I'm not able to go any deeper on the content.
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Old 30th September 2008, 23:20
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Don Caldwell Don Caldwell is offline
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Re: The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

For more reviews, please go to my website:

http://www.don-caldwell.we.bs/

Rich and I fought the publisher to get "Day Fighters" included in the title, but we lost -- titling a book is the publisher's prerogative. As a result, some readers -- especially in the UK -- got their noses bent out of shape. But IMHO, it's the best single-volume history of the day fighters. Some dates are covered in detail, and there are plenty of personal accounts. I'm working on a supplemental volume, a day-to-day "war diary" with mission tables and maps for the guys who can't get enuf data.

Horrido!

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Old 1st October 2008, 18:29
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Re: The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

Hi Don,

Good to see you on TOCH, which unfortunately is a rare event!!

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  #5  
Old 1st October 2008, 21:34
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Re: The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

Ruy --

Two hurricane evacuations in ten days, followed by 17 days without electrical power, reduced my TOCH time in September to ~zero. Everything is about back to normal here, and I'm writing again. I try to check TOCH several times a week, but don't contribute much, as I don't have the time to keep repeating myself. I would hope that your FAQ section would answer the frequently-asked questions, as the name would imply, but it doesn't seem to.

Horrido!

Don
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Old 2nd October 2008, 01:02
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Re: The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurfürst View Post
The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

by Don Caldwell (Author), Richard Muller




Can anyone give me a review over that book, what should the reader expect? Personally, I look for detailed accounts of the events, if possible on a day to day basis. Does this book deliver that? ~300 pages strikes me that some sacrifices has to be made..
Caldwell and Muller did a great job and helped my own research immensely but there is no way 1500 pages would cover day by day narratives of all interesting events. They had to pick and choose, then dive deep into the battles from pilot to Galland level for insight.
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Old 8th October 2008, 05:39
NickM NickM is offline
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Re: The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

Guys:

I always find Don's books a great buy-including this one! Oh and Don looks pretty dapper with that 'VanDyke Goatee/Moustach Combo;

nickm
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Old 9th October 2008, 00:07
Flak Magnet Flak Magnet is offline
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Re: The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

Just bought the book myself. Haven't had a chance to get into it......however the supplement sounds very intriguing.
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Old 30th August 2009, 23:11
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Award for The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

This thread has been inactive for some time, but I hope this posting pops to the top. The book has just been named the winner of the Air Force Historical Foundation award for Best Military History Book of 2008 (so they're running a little late -- competition was tough.) Rich and I are extremely pleased by this unexpected honor, and are looking forward to heading to Washington DC in October to pick up our plaques at the AFHF annual banquet.

For anyone who is wondering about the status of the companion volume, which I've titled Day Fighters in Defense of the Reich: A War Diary -- it's coming along fine, and I'll have it to the publisher by year's end, barring any unexpected hurricane evacuations.

Don
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Old 31st August 2009, 03:51
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Re: The Luftwaffe Over Germany: The Defense of the Reich

That is great news Don. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Luftwaffe Over Germany", but I'm one of those folks that also thrives on specific detail. So the Companion will be a great asset to the library.
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